MPs grill Aviation PS Mbaika over delayed expansion of Wajir Airport

Wajir Woman Representative Fatuma Jehow has demanded answers over the delayed expansion of Wajir Airport, as Members of Parliament grilled Aviation and Aerospace Development Principal Secretary Teresia Mbaika over the government's plans for the strategic facility.

Jehow questioned why compensation of residents whose land was allegedly earmarked for the airport expansion had stalled, despite the matter having been discussed by government officials and local leaders for years.

The Wajir MP said residents needed clarity on whether the government was still committed to expanding the airport, which serves both civilian and military users.

“I am very disappointed by the answers the Principal Secretary is giving over why there is a delay of compensation of land owners around Wajir Airport. Our people need to know whether really there is a plan to expand it or not,” Jehow said.

She told the National Assembly Lands Committee that meetings had been held in 2014 and again in 2024 to address the issue, but little progress had been made.

Jehow also called for the expansion of the airport to include a dedicated civilian terminal, arguing that separating civilian operations from military activities would ease security restrictions affecting residents.

She said residents had petitioned President William Ruto over the construction of the civilian terminal, citing the airport's importance to the region.

However, PS Mbaika told the committee that the government was not planning to acquire additional privately owned land for the expansion.

The PS said the planned airport improvements were estimated to cost Ksh.746 million and that the government currently did not require additional land.

Her explanation drew sharp criticism from Jehow, who said residents had protested over alleged compulsory acquisition of their land.

Jehow challenged the PS to provide clear answers on the government's intentions, accusing her of failing to adequately address the concerns raised by MPs.

The Kenya Airports Authority (KAA) Managing Director Moses Wekesa told the committee that plans were underway to demarcate access to the airport and establish separate facilities for military and civilian users.

Wekesa said the arrangement had been requested by local leaders and residents, noting that several Kenyan airports host military installations alongside civilian operations.

He said Wajir, Garissa and Lodwar airports have significant military presence because of their strategic locations.

On the disputed land, Wekesa attributed the delay partly to documentation challenges, saying the land in question in Wajir town did not have title deeds.

“We would like to inform Parliament that the land in question in Wajir town does not have title deeds. Therefore, the Kenya Airports Authority does not have the requisite documents,” he said.

Wekesa said the government remained committed to resolving the matter amicably.

Mbaika also told MPs that Wajir Airport had recently undergone improvements ahead of this year's Madaraka Day celebrations, which were hosted in Wajir.

Garissa Town MP Dekow Barrow said similar challenges affected the Garissa and Mandera airstrips, urging the committee to visit the region and establish the situation on the ground instead of relying solely on explanations from government officials.

Committee chairperson and North Mugirango MP Joash Nyamoko directed Mbaika to return before the committee after MPs established that she did not have sufficient answers on the disputed land and the proposed expansion.

Nyamoko also criticised Environment Principal Secretary Festus Ng’eno for failing to appear before the committee to address environmental concerns surrounding the airport.

Ng’eno had sent a letter on the eve of the meeting explaining his absence, but Nyamoko rejected the officials sent to represent him.

“We are not going to allow the officials sent by the Environment Principal Secretary to make any presentation,” Nyamoko said.

He directed Ng’eno to appear before the committee at a later date and provide answers on the environmental issues surrounding the airport.